NoraLeduc

I know there are people who think dogs don't understand or have no memories. But Winter has an excellent memory and understands all the words that are important to her. In fact, I sometimes wish she'd suffer amnesia.  Yesterday we went for our afternoon walk.  We usually head in the same direction every day, but I saw a parked car and was worried it was a woman with a dog that's unsocialized and dislike other dogs.  So I tried to head out in the opposite direction.

Winter would have no part of it. I was wrong. We always walked the other way.  She planted her feet and put her ears down, like poor woman is having a problem.  So I did what I could. I used the word.  The word is the name of the dog next door.  We haven't seen her in a while so I suggested we look for her. That was it.  

Winter took off, pulling me along. She, of course, runs through all the good smelling overgrown bushes and grass on the side. The kind with ticks!  I kept telling her to slow down especially when I saw a small tree coming.And then she swerved up into the woods beside our house.  Now I like the woods, and I could see we were on some kind of path. I just wasn't sure if a moose, dog or bear had made it. and I really didn't want to find out. It meandered along upward.  Winter kept her nose to the ground, sniffing all the way. I guess this is how dogs stay on the path and enjoy their walks.  Finally we were there. Right at the edge of our neighbors' house. No signs of their dog.  Winter wanted to keep plowing ahead to their front door, but I felt kinda foolish saying we've come to visit your dog. Or, my dog took me for a walk and brought me here.  So I suggested we find the black dog who lives at the top of the hill. Winter was game.  The path wasn't as clear this time, but we were headed upward with me tripping, and trying to duck branches and keep the leash from wrapping around another tree.  Soon, we reached this house. All was quiet. No signs of black dog. Again, I didn't want to walk out of the woods and knock on a door to explain today was visit your neighboring dogs day.So I told Winter it was time to go home. 

She was ready for this as it meant more sniffing in the woods. We didn't follow a trail, simply headed down hill.  Within a few minutes we were in our yard.  Winter refused to come inside right away.  Maybe she was hoping her friends would take their owners for a walk to our house.

My newest job is the local Town Crier. I never knew how famous I would become when I volunteered. Many people have approached me to congratulate me on my new job! 

The other day, I called a woman I hadn't seen in years to try and get some info for my little space in the Sunday paper. Her answering machine picked up, but as soon as I said my name into the machine, she was on the phone and announced her latest project to me for the paper.   (Apparently she's pyschic.)

I feel famous even though I don' t earn a cent . Who would guess? And, recently a friend who works in China was home visiting. We met at a friend's house. She looked at me and said, "You're the new town crier!" 

When asked how she knew, she confessed she reads the local paper online back in China.

Wow, the power of the word over the internet. I wonder how you say town crier in Chinese.  Maybe my friend will volunteer over there and I can find out and read it online here..

Well, I've got to pack for the big camping trip. Can't wait, especially if the weather is the same as today. Blah.  Have picked up extra treats for Winter for bribery at the site if needed. Might need them to keep her from wanting to walk and visit everyone.

Then will rush home on the 11th for a book signing at the Toadstool in Milford .MaybeI an give away smores as I"ll probably still be in camping mode.

Will it ever stop raining?? I know people in Florida want my weather. I want their weather.  Inventors, there you go with an idea. My tomato plant is rotting. My petunias are rotting.  What a rotten life.  Even the dog won't go out.

One good thing, DH had time to read on these rainy days. He read my newest book and said it's my best one yet!!  Makes rain worth the while.

Who's that knocking at my door?  MURDER CAME CALLING  has been released from Whiskey Creek Press and is on the main page. It's a June release,  ready for summer reading:

When her mother’s body is discovered at a lakeside cove, Annie Townsend can’t avoid the possibility her father may be the murderer. She launches her own investigation and teams up with prison-toughened Sam O’Brien, a man her family loathes. Caught in a web of her own suspicions and guilt, Annie finds that, even worse, she’s attracted to Sam and must protect herself from a man branded by his past and imprisoned by his hardened heart.

Although he’s long been proved innocent of murder, Sam knows the world shuns and despises him. His attempts to live in peace away from the prying press are doomed. When Annie catapults into his life, he finds the opportunity to prove himself worthy to love again by catching a killer.